Levi Steele's hat-trick heroics saw Evesham United overcome a stubborn Melksham Town side 5-3.

The sides met for a Southern South League clash on Saturday (April 6) at The Spiers & Hartwell Stadium in front of 237 spectators.

Alongside Steele's triple, goals from Amer Awadh and Alfie Dunn were enough to overcome scores from Melksham's Elliot Haffenden, Samuel Hendy and Albert Hopkins.

 

 

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Evesham were faster out the blocks, opening the scoring within five minutes when Awadh netted after a clever cutback from Will Owens.

But the celebrations were short lived; just two minutes later, Haffenden met a cross at the back post, heading in to equalise for the visitors.

The next goal belonged to Evesham's Steele, scoring after he was placed through on goal in the 25th minute.

Just three minutes later, a two-on-one attack saw Dunn assist Steele, who coolly finished into the bottom corner for a rapid-fire brace.

Unfortunately, the two goal lead was short-lived.

Melksham's Samuel Hendy outstandingly lobbed the keeper from well inside his half just a minute later, before Albert Hopkins delivered a cracking strike into the top corner to level the score for halftime.

The second half commenced with a frantic scrimmage in front of the Evesham goal leading to a shot fired into the post.

Evesham responded with an attack of their own, when a disappointed Owens saw his attempt strike the post.

Evesham finally thought they had broken the deadlock when Steele found the net once more, but his joy was cut short by the offside flag.

In the 81st minute, amidst chaos at the back for Melksham, the deadlock was finally broken as Dunn swept in to capitalise, slotting the ball into an empty net and restore Evesham's lead.

Minutes later, the irrepressible Steele delivered the knockout blow.

He secured the match ball in style, cutting inside from the edge of the box, and curling in for his triple to put the game beyond the visitor's reach.

The win places Evesham United ninth in the South South league table, just one point shy of eighth-placed Bideford.